It has been a long year!

Greetings to all of you who figure I dropped off the face of the earth.  Not so!  This has been a very busy year full of much joy and just a little upset here and there.

Last year at this time I was suffering from what I believed to be a really awful cold with congestion and sleep problems which began about thanksgiving.  Several trips to the doctor were not helping, except he ordered and EKG and Echocardiogram, but failed to explain what these tests were for.  I was feeling so poorly at the time, I really didn’t care, I just wanted to get fixed.  Well, on January 24,  2015 I had Shep take me to the ER and was admitted for congestive heart failure and Atrial fibrillation.  My stay in the hospital lasted 5 days and I had 2 cardioversions (shocked my heart) and the second one worked to fix my crazily beating heart.  Needless to say, I was pretty shocked (no pun intended) at the whole experience.  Boy, did I ever learn a lot about women and heart problems and really poor medical care from my primary care doctor.  I also learned what incredible children I have-they all visited and provided both physical and emotional support.   I am not sure what Shep and I would have done without their help. They are the BEST. It’s been a real struggle for me to try and regain the strength and energy I had before this bump in the road.  I have quit smoking, and feel better, but I have replaced the cigarettes with popcorn.  Even a nutritionist cannot seem to figure out why I crave popcorn.  I eat three bowls (big ones) a day after each meal. I even take my popcorn supplies with me to the kids’ homes when I visit.  Pretty sick!  My new year’s resolution is to get back into shape and tone up the 20+ pounds I have gained.  I can use the REC center at Pueblo Community College which is a two block walk from the house.   They offer Yoga classes which I find I am also addicted to!  You all should try it if you haven’t already.    My personal trainer over there is getting me on a good program.  Boy, do I ever feel my age.  I just went in this last week (Jan. 29 for a cardioversion!  Darn it, it happened again, but it was just an outpatient shocker!  I feel better

Work at the Steelworks Center of the West (my job at what used to be called Bessemer Historical Society) is great.  I have flexible hours (20 per week).  We are gearing up for our annual fundraising dinner.  I am responsible for the silent auction and some live auction, table decorations and bulk mailings.  Keeps me on my toes and occupies the better part of three days a week.  This year I called Colorado Correctional Industries and got them to donate a redwood canoe for our live auction.  That was a kudo for me!  The prison system makes all kinds of things.  I will be busy at work for the next month and a half, then plan to visit SLC and Conifer to see kids.

Christmas was incredible with the whole family gathering.  Becky and Devin had a harrowing experience driving I-80 to Colorado.  The road closed and they spent the night at Little America.  They did arrive Christmas Eve and we spent several days with kids and adults eating and having fun together.  As the kids have grown, the noise level has certainly increased.  What an experience.  Below is a picture of the clan at the Cave of the Winds.  It was so cold outside, that the cave was wonderful and toasty at 50 degrees.  As usual we spent time between the Springs and here.  I made marshmallow shooter guns for the kids which they had fun using when the parents played disc golf.  It was sad to see everyone leave for home knowing it will be a while before we are all together again.  At least we are not living across the country from each other!  We have so much to be thankful for.

Shep has had a good year, I think.  He has fewer problems with his back, but like me adds additional aches and pains daily-which seem to just come and go for no reason.  He is still active with a couple of volunteer groups and has successfully written a few grants.  He swims 3 times a week to stay in shape and visit with other old codgers at the swimming pool.  It is part exercise, part socializing if you know Shep!  We are both aging, and find the whole forgetfulness thing pretty funny.  At least we can laugh at ourselves and each other.  We got a Keurg coffee maker, and if you really want to test your aging brain, try to make coffee with it and always getting it right.  The other day I forgot the coffee pod and Shep forgot the cup of coffee he just made.  I hope our kids get a good laugh at us as well.  I am sure we say and do things that raise eyebrows.

Becky, Devin, Logan and Laila moved to Salt Lake City last year from Los Alamos, NM.  Devin has a super job in scientific medical research, the kids love their new school, and Becky is working as well and just started with the State of  Utah in environmental  field. I miss the trips to Los Alamos, except now I just hop on a plane in Colorado Springs and fly out for a week to visit.  Their house is great and is located in a centralized area.  They plan to ski a lot and have already enjoyed all of the outdoor activities.  It was nice to move where they knew people, too.  Buying their first house was a real treat.  Logan has become a real techy these days enjoying music and reading like a mad man.  Laila still plays by herself a lot talking to the animals, etc.  It is so fun to listen to her!  Logan is playing indoor soccer and taking guitar lessons.  Laila is still in gymnastics and doing great.  My visits are such a treat because I get to do a little outdoor activity and some great shopping.  Becky and I do not shop much except when we are together.  These trips are never cheap!

Josh, Bree, Owen, Wyatt and Molly moved to a new house in Colorado Springs closer to work and recreation.  They got a bigger house and love the neighborhood and schools.  Josh still loves his principal job and Bree is working part time substitute teaching.  The kids like the new school they moved to after Halloween.  Molly did not change pre-school, but she will be going to Kindergarten at the boys’ school next year.   Their neighbors have children that are perfect playmates, and the dad just happens to work in the building next to my office in Pueblo as the GM of Evraz (they rent the building from us).  What a coincidence.  The move has been great for recreation and wildlife in the neighborhood.  I have never driven to their house without seeing at least 2 deer grazing on the lawns.  Owen is playing the tuba and still playing chess and mine craft and they have added clash of clans.  Wyatt is the artist in the family so he and I have bunches of fun when we get together.  We usually get to do great projects with him.  Molly is the athlete taking gymnastics lessons and the character in the family.  She has the most incredible sense of humor.

Ben, Brenda, Amelia and Cavan are still enjoying Confier.  They have spent a good deal of time on the house this last year, so they are looking forward to some skiing and fun this winter.  They made a trip to Costa Rica this fall, as Ben was in a mountain bike race.  It was quite an ordeal as one of his teammates was lost in the race, and ended up in the hospital for a week.  His buddy has been written up in two newspapers, one in the US and one in Costa Rica.  In spite of that, the trip was great and they have some great stories.   Amelia is still quite the artist and both kids are Lego fans.  We got to see her spelling bee this last week.  She is really growing up.     Cavan still loves police things and has a great new Lego set he got for Christmas.    It is such a treat to bring their art work home with me to decorate the fridge.  Ben is still working hard with SYSYS and Brenda is looking for a part time job in the near future.

I hope all of you are well.  Email me occasionally!